Should You Use Social Media and AI as Health Tools? 

More than half of Americans now use social media and AI to find health information. A July 2025 poll by KFF (formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation) found that 55 percent of adults turn to these platforms for health advice. But there’s a problem: Less than 10 percent trust what they read.

The numbers show why trust is low. A separate survey by Healthline found that 77 percent of people worry about conflicting health information online. Medical studies back this up. Researchers found that one-third of users see high levels of false health information on social media. Two-thirds say they struggle to tell what’s true and what’s not.

Here’s What You Need to Know

Social media and AI are good starting points, not final answers. These tips can help get you started:

• Learn about new health topics.
• See what questions others are asking.
• Find trends worth exploring.

But don’t stop there. Social media posts and AI responses aren’t the same as medical facts. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is studying how social media affects teen health. Early findings show these platforms shape how we think about and trust health information.

What Should You Do?

• Use social media to spark your interest.
• Check the facts with trusted sources.
• Talk to your doctor.
• Read information from hospitals and medical groups.
• Look for research from accredited universities.

You don’t have to quit social media and AI. Just use them the right way. Think of them as first steps, not the final word on your health.